This technology relates to disrupting algae cell walls, in order to obtain protoplast with high nutrient digestibility for use as a food ingredient and/or as feed for farmed fish and shellfish species, which leads to the production of added value sea food items and to more sustainable and better performing food chains.
Algae extracts are rich in several bioactive compounds that can increase health and provide environmental benefits. At an industrial level, there is a pressing need to have more efficient algae biomass-extracting methods, that can meet the needs of the use of this resource. The technology allows an effective disruption of algae cell walls to obtain high-nutrient-digestible protoplast. As a first step, the cellulosic cell wall is disrupted through physicalmechanical means with a vibratory mill with rings; in the second step, the disrupted algae is submitted to enzymatic hydrolysis carried by a specific mixture of enzymes. This results in a disrupted algal suspension with a high level of "free" protein, peptides, and amino acids, as well as other valuable soluble nutrients and bioactive compounds. The extract can be further used as a food and feed ingredient due to its high nutrient digestibility. Other applications for the extract, such as in healthcare and cosmetics, can be also considered.
Advantages:
• Efficient algae extraction process already tested at pilot scale;
• Cost and resource-efficient alternative to traditional mechanical and enzymatic methods;
• Versatile application.
Current development status
Laboratory prototypes
Applications
Biomass sector; Aquaculture; Food/feed ingredients; Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals; Fertilizers industries.
Desired business relationship
Technology selling
Patent licensing
Technology development
CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - is a leading research and advanced training institution of the University of Porto, working at the frontier of Ocean Knowledge and Innovation.
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